Gurgaon: Guard by night, teacher to street children by day

A security guard in Gurgaon’s Sector 50, 22-year-old Lakhan Athya teaches underprivileged children in Sector 57. Every month, he buys books and notepads for the children and spend two hours each day in the park teaching them

The two-hour class each day has resulted in the children being able to write their names.(HT Photo)

While residents of Sector 50 sleep peacefully in their houses, Lakhan Athya , 22, stays awake the whole night guarding the locality. When dawn breaks, he returns to his rented accommodation in Sector 57 to collect books and prepare for his “day duty” -- one that he does out of compassion and as a service to society.

Armed with books he bought with his own money, Athya dons the hat of a teacher to the underprivileged children in Sector 57.

The two-hour class each day has resulted in these kids being able to write their names -- a simple task that puts a smile on the faces of the pupils and their teacher.

Born and brought up in Bilakala village in Madhya Pradesh, Athya had to leave his studies after class 9 due to the financial crunch in his family. He started working to help his family. In 2013, he came to Gurgaon along with a relative who got him the job of a security guard in Sector 50.

Athya took a room on rent in Sector 57, and, very soon, he had both a night and day job.

“I was shocked when these children told me that they have never been to school -- they could not read or write. That day, I decided that I will educate them with what little I have,” Lakhan said.

Every month, he buys books and notepads for the children and spend two hours each day in the park teaching them.

Touched by Athya’s service, the residents of Sector 57 said those studying in colleges and higher educational institutions too should come forward to give a helping hand to such children.

“If young people come forward to teach underprivileged children even for an hour a week, it could change the children’s present and future. Rather than financial aid, these children need the support of educated people,” said Pushp Dahiya, who spotted Athya teaching the children while she came to drop her son for gymnastics classes in the park.

“I have always wanted to contribute toward a social cause. But I did not know how to do it and where to begin. This initiative has given me a platform where everything is defined and I know that my efforts will definitely benefit the children,” Athya said.

“The children studying in the park caught my attention and I was touched to see it. I too want to be part of the movement which will bring a change in the lives of children for the better,” said Sunita Gildiyal a homemaker.